Chapter 5

Just as that greasy mouth was about to land on Harper's lips, Ryan's eyes darkened. He finally set down his wine glass, ready to put an end to this farce.

Before he could even open his mouth, Harper suddenly doubled over and vomited a sour stream of bile.

The man trying to take advantage of her turned pale and let go immediately. But Harper, face ashen, kept dry heaving, unable to stop.

The crowd finally sensed that something was wrong.

"Did she eat something bad?"

"No… this feels more like—pregnancy?"

Ryan shot to his feet. The glass in his hand shattered against the floor, splashing shards and wine all over Olivia's leg.

"Harper! Are you really… pregnant?"

He didn't care at all about the mess. He rushed forward, pulling her into his arms. There wasn't a trace of the neat freak in him now.

Harper instinctively cradled her stomach, her lips trembling.

"I think… my period's been late for a while."

Ryan swept her into his arms, barely containing the smile tugging at his lips.

"You guys keep playing. I'm taking her to the hospital!"

He tossed out the words and bolted from the bar like the wind, not sparing a glance at anyone's reaction.

The people left behind stared after them, bewildered.

"Harper's feeling unwell, but why's Ryan so worked up about it?"

"Weren't they supposed to hate each other? Like, hardcore hate?"

The second-generation heirs all exchanged strange looks. Their faces wore the same complicated expression.

Seeing Olivia sitting there alone, looking crushed, they quickly gathered around her.

"Olivia, don't be sad. Even if Harper is really pregnant, Ryan would never marry her!"

"Exactly! Ryan said it himself—back in our graduation year, when Gabe bullied you, he only went after Harper to get revenge for you!"

Everyone tried to comfort her with a chorus of half-truths and reassurances, but Olivia's smile was clearly forced.

Her phone rang. She glanced at the screen, her face falling even further. Mumbling something about getting fresh air, she stepped into a quiet corner.

"I told you I'd transfer the money," she snapped.

The voice on the other end was sleazy and mocking. "Well, you're taking too damn long. The guys I owe don't believe in patience."

A dark look clouded Olivia's eyes. She said she'd take care of it soon.

"You better. Or I'll start selling those wild videos of you with all those different men."

Her hand trembled as she hung up, the rage pulsing in her chest.

She had always aimed for a rich man, but somehow, she'd fallen for a fake.

Years abroad—nothing to show for it.

She thought she could circle back and snag Ryan. But now Harper was pregnant.

He kept denying any feelings, but Olivia wasn't fooled. She had long noticed that his supposed coldness toward Harper wasn't as absolute as he claimed.

Once the child was born… blood would speak louder than denial. Who knew what he'd feel then?

Why else would he have bolted out of there like that—so panicked, so protective?

At the hospital, Harper's fingers drifted over the tiny form on the ultrasound screen.

Ryan pulled her close and kissed her.

"I'm going to be a dad!"

He looked at her, grinning. "Why so quiet? Are you that happy?"

Harper's heart was a tangle of confusion. A sudden thought popped into her mind.

"When… when did you stop using protection?"

Ryan blinked, then said after a beat, "Half a year ago, maybe?"

He chuckled. "Can you blame me? You always looked so blissed out in bed, you didn't even notice."

Harper lowered her hand. The strength drained from her limbs.

Ryan didn't notice a thing—he thought she was just tired and helped her lie down gently.

"The baby's just two months. Once things stabilize, let's tell your dad, okay?"

Harper opened her mouth but couldn't get any words out.

She had been prepared to leave quietly.

But the baby changed everything.

How could she explain this to her parents? And what about her fiancé?

Should she get rid of it in secret?

Her hand unconsciously rested on her lower abdomen, protective already.

The painful truth dawned on her—she couldn't do it. Couldn't bring herself to. This was her child.

With so much weighing on her mind, she barely slept at night. The pregnancy was already showing signs of instability.

These days, Ryan stayed home to care for her. The Delgado heir who couldn't tell scallions from garlic now learned to make soup and stew dishes under the housekeeper's guidance.

He even massaged her legs and soaked her feet.

Once, all of this would've seemed unbelievably sweet.

But now, watching his face full of tender joy, Harper only felt he was preparing—getting ready to one day hurt her without mercy.

There was no going back to the way things were.

"I said I'm not going out. Try bothering me again and see what happens." Ryan stood on the balcony, a cigarette between his fingers—unlit.

He said he was quitting for the baby.

"Come on, Ryan, don't tell us you're actually buying into this act?" The voices on the other end of the call groaned in disbelief.

"Don't tell us you've fallen for her just because of the kid. Are you actually thinking of marrying Harper? Olivia was heartbroken after you left that night!"

Ryan's smile faded a little.

Behind him, Harper had quietly appeared.

She spoke up. "If you want to go, go. No need to keep turning your friends down because of me."